MKHC Board Chair Spotlight: Dr. Donna Perry

Long before joining MKHC’s Board of Directors, Dr. Donna Perry had built a career centered on community health. A retired pediatrician, she served twenty years as a Naval Medical Officer at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda and thirteen years with the Indian Health Service in Arizona. After returning to the area over a decade ago, she has continued that work closer to home through her support of MKHC, including serving as board chair since 2019.

As a long-time supporter of Community Reach of Montgomery County—“particularly the clinic from its beginning”—Donna had watched the organization grow and evolve.  After retiring, she wanted a way to get involved more deeply. MKHC doesn’t see children, meaning she couldn’t volunteer as a medical provider, so she chose to serve on the board of directors, offering her medical insight and guidance. When the board chair position opened, she stepped into the role without hesitation.

A passionate advocate for “available, competent healthcare regardless of ability to pay,” Donna’s goal as MKHC’s board chair is to ensure long-term sustainability and stability. “I am hoping that when my time as board chair is done, we will have a diverse, dedicated board to carry on,” she explains, “and we will have developed stable resources to assure health care is available for all.”

Outside of her board service, Donna remains engaged in the community she chose more than 40 years ago. She treasures the neighborhoods and opportunities Montgomery County offers. She spends her time participating in activities within her church, walking for exercise, cooking and baking, and enjoying music.

A fun fact about Donna? She’s always loved good jewelry. “Living thirteen years on the Navajo Reservation provided access to many artists, who very often provided temptations,” she recalls. “Some are simple, everyday pieces, other pieces are for wearing to the annual Reach Gala. I helped support many of the jewelers and love my collection.”